Insights on Immigration: Rubio as VP?

U-T San Diego’s Insights on Immigration, a panel of experts who regularly explore timely and often provocative issues, was created to better explore the many facets of immigration and provide more perspectives for readers.

Question: Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is making headlines for writing in his new memoir that if he lived abroad, his children were hungry and he had no opportunities, nothing would prevent him from migrating illegally to the United States. Will this statement affect his chances for becoming Mitt Romney’s running mate?

Lilia Velasquez, immigration attorney and adjunct professor of law

Yes. Senator Rubio’s statement that he, too, would enter the U.S. illegally may impact his selection as vice president because it places him in direct opposition to Romney’s fiercely conservative, tea party, anti-immigrant ideology. However, Rubio should not be judged negatively for stating the truth. Illegal immigration today is motivated by the same reasons the pilgrims came to America: to escape religious/political persecution and to seek a better life for them and their families. Romney’s grandfather did the same when he migrated to Mexico to freely practice his religious beliefs, which included polygamy.

Our immigration policy allows for approximately 70,000 overseas refugees to resettle in the United States every year, but economic refugees are forced to immigrate illegally in order to survive. Clearly, Rubio understands the dynamics of illegal immigration, and his statement highlights why it is imperative that our leaders work with Congress to pass compassionate and fair immigration laws for deserving undocumented immigrants.

Ruben Barrales, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce president, CEO

No. Sen. Marco Rubio is an excellent candidate for vice president. He is a young, dynamic senator from a vital swing state. As the son of immigrants, he has been an articulate advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. He has been vocal about the need to have a respectful civic conversation about the plight of immigrants, the rule of law and the obvious flaws in our existing immigration system.

Rubio’s ideas have gained bipartisan support. He has reminded those in Washington to treat immigrants as human beings and to recognize immigration as an important part of our nation’s history and our future.

The ultimate decision of who will be the GOP’s vice presidential candidate will be made by Mitt Romney. He has many good candidates to choose from, and Rubio deserves to be on that list.

Peter Nunez, former U.S. attorney in San Diego

No. Maybe it should, but it will not. Romney will choose whichever candidate will enhance his chances of getting elected, and Rubio provides many positives in that regard. Hard-liners on immigration may not like what he wrote, anymore than they like his watered-down version of the DREAM Act. But on balance, Rubio enhances Romney’s chances to carry Florida and may also attract independents and swing voters in other states.

Most Americans are sympathetic to immigrants and understand the motivations that drive people to seek a better life. But sympathizing with immigrants does not translate into a “come one, come all” policy or justify the current mass immigration or tolerance of law-breaking that we have been experiencing since Congress threw open the doors beginning in 1965. Immigration policy must be based on the national interest, on what’s good for America, not what’s good for the 4 billion poor people in the world who want to come to the United States.

David Shirk, director of the Trans-Border Institute at USD

No. Romney needs some kind of leverage with Latinos (or at least a nice connection to Florida). Moreover, Rubio makes these comments based on the experience of his Cuban parents, who came to the United States in 1956 (pre-Castro) as economic migrants, like most Mexican immigrants. At that time, there were no country quotas restricting migration from the Americas, so they could easily obtain a visa.

Today, the limited number and accessibility of visas for our top immigrant source country (Mexico) explains 2/3 of all unauthorized migration. Give those immigrants a reasonable chance to come legally and they will, just like Mama and Papi Rubio.

Who knows? Maybe one of their sons will even be considered a viable candidate for the top slot of the GOP one day. With just seven U.S. presidents having immigrant moms or dads (only one had both), that would be a great watershed for a nation of immigrants.